They're ideal for pickin' teeth, too.

October 5, 2006 10:42 AM

Haberdasheryfilter: Where can I get the little plastic tabs that go into the collar of a man's dress shirt?

They are about two inches long, flat, pointed at one end and rounded at the other. An inexpert drawing of one would look like this:



Also, does anyone know what these damn things are called? A google search on variations of "tab collar dress shirt" brought up a variety of nazi memorabilia, oddly, and I don't feel like getting fired today.

I'm assuming the things cost half a cent to produce and anyone with a supply of them will happily give me a handful for free. But who is this someone and what do I ask for so I don't look like the fool that I am?

posted by Terminal Verbosity to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (21 answers total)

Collar stays.
posted by cabingirl at 10:45 AM on October 5, 2006

They are called "collar stays."
posted by malocchio at 10:46 AM on October 5, 2006

You can get collar stays at most any department and/or clothing store (Macy's, etc.).
posted by kcm at 10:46 AM on October 5, 2006

(Also, in a pinch, the makeup spreader things that are free to take at Sephora fit most shirts - but a couple sets of brass stays are a must-have for anyone over 20..)
posted by kcm at 10:47 AM on October 5, 2006

They're called collar stays, and you can get ones in copper that are a bit more permanent than the plastic ones.
posted by OmieWise at 10:49 AM on October 5, 2006

Last time I went to Men's Wearhouse, they just gave me a handful of them when I asked. You might try the same at any decent menswear department (Macy's, Nordstrom)
posted by action man bow-tie at 10:51 AM on October 5, 2006

I would also recommend the brass (or copper?) version and also be aware that they come in different lengths. You can buy a set of 18 from Jos. A. Bank that includes three different sizes ( 2 1/4", 2 1/2", and 2 3/4").
posted by mattbucher at 10:56 AM on October 5, 2006

You can order them online from Banana Republic.

Nichole
posted by eatdonuts at 10:58 AM on October 5, 2006

In a pinch you can break off coffee stirrers, which are the right width.
posted by rhizome at 11:02 AM on October 5, 2006

I've purchased plastic ones in reasonable quantity at fabric stores (specifically Cliff's Variety on Castro in San Francisco).
posted by YoungAmerican at 11:12 AM on October 5, 2006

Magnetic collar stays.
posted by fire&wings at 11:24 AM on October 5, 2006

Even easier- I've seen them for sale in lots of dry cleaners. They have all kinds of weird little things like that at those places.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:32 AM on October 5, 2006

The metal ones keep the collar more straight, but it is kind of a pain when you send all of your good collar stays of to be lost by the cleaners. Don't forget to take them out when you take off your shirt.
posted by caddis at 11:32 AM on October 5, 2006

They're called 'bones' in the UK, presumably because they were once made of bone. The brass or copper ones are lovely, though, and the extra weight can be helpful with some shirts.
posted by holgate at 11:33 AM on October 5, 2006

Any men's clothing store (Men's Warehouse mentioned above or Jos. A. Bank Clothiers) will typically have a basket of them. They don't charge if you take a few.
posted by NationalKato at 11:41 AM on October 5, 2006

So it's a collar stay then?

Thanks all. As I'm becoming increasingly more film-noirish in my dress (I recently purchased a tie clip), I just may invest in the brass variety. But plastic will do for now.

The metal ones keep the collar more straight, but it is kind of a pain when you send all of your good collar stays of to be lost by the cleaners. Don't forget to take them out when you take off your shirt.

Hence the reason for the question :-)
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 12:21 PM on October 5, 2006

When I first had to wear shirt and tie to work I was pretty resistant, but it has since become something I really enjoy. Although I'm pleased not to have to spend the money, I often wish that I would not look too overdressed in a suit. Anyway, one of the things which I enjoy is the ritual of it all, and taking out my collar stays is one part of that ritual. I even have a little leather box, given me by my father, which holds my two pairs of cufflinks and my collar stays. Taking off and stowing safely my work kit ("testicle, spectacles, wallet and watch") is one of the ways I know I've gotten home from work.
posted by OmieWise at 12:25 PM on October 5, 2006

I like the ones from Brooks Brothers.
posted by roomwithaview at 2:58 PM on October 5, 2006

I think it is worth getting some that are a little sturdier like the ones I use that are mentioned by roomwithaview from Brooks Bros.

In a pinch, I have used a large paper clip. In my opinion, if you do not have an available collar stay, use soemthing as the collars that start to roll up look very unprofessional.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 6:03 PM on October 5, 2006

I've got a stash of about a dozen of the plastic type (stamped "Land's End" in blue) I'd be happy to donate.
posted by Rash at 9:32 AM on October 6, 2006